NORTH BERGEN -- A recycling plant has been fined $71,600 for workplace safety and health hazards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced.

OSHA conducted an inspection at Eagle Recycling on Dell Avenue in May 2009, and returned to the plant last July 1, officials said.

During that follow-up visit, inspectors found Eagle had failed to correct violations the company had previously been cited for, including an insufficient lockout/tagout system that's needed to ensure that power machines won't unexpectedly start working, OSHA officials said.

"The lockout/tagout program prevents an inadvertent release of energy or inadvertent start of a machine," said Leni Fortson, with the Department of Labor's Office of Public Affairs.

"It was Eagle Recycling's equipment that conveys and processes materials for recycling with an insufficient lockout/tagout program."

The company was also cited for exposing workers to the hazard of being struck by vehicles. OSHA found uncovered material chutes, a lack of exit signs and failure to provide medical evaluations for employees required to wear respirators.The company was also cited for having a hole in the floor.

"OSHA will not tolerate employers that fail to abate hazards and leave workers at risk," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's satellite office in Parsippany. "It is vital that the company fully abates all of these hazards immediately to protect the safety and health of its employees."

Eagle Recycling, which is owned by Lieze Associates, did not return calls and no phone number was listed for Lieze Associates.

Eagle has three weeks from the date of the OSHA notice to contest the citations.